After their respective second-round wins at the 2026 Australian Open, American players Coco Gauff and Amanda Anisimova were posed a question about US President Donald Trump. While the tennis world was divided, Reilly Opelka’s father, George Opelka, opined that it was wrong to ask athletes about politics at sporting events.
Trump began his second term as the POTUS in January 2025. Since then, the 79-year-old has vouched for Canada to become America’s 51st state, captured Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, and expressed his desire for the US to acquire Greenland.
At her press conference, Gauff, who often speaks her mind on political issues, was asked how she felt about playing under the American flag. She said she hoped for a better future for the US.
Responding to this, tennis blogger Pavvy G criticized the World No. 3, writing on X:
“Coco Gauff should be grateful that Trump is doing such a good job for all Americans in my opinion. People forget what a disastrous and embarrassing period it was for the US under the Joe Biden administration.”
George Opelka replied to Pavvy G, arguing that players should straightaway refuse to answer political questions, as it could also endanger the sponsors.
“IMO political questions don’t belong in pressers. Any reporters and journalists that play that game go straight to my ‘Do Not Use’ list. Sponsors and agents should coach their clients to respond with “Next Question” as they are putting the brand at risk,” George wrote.
Meanwhile, Anisimova noted that she was proud to represent her country, but when the reporter circled back to political tensions, she said, “I don’t think that’s relevant.”
“Hard Being a Black Woman in This Country” – Coco Gauff Responds to Donald Trump Question
Coco Gauff was asked how she felt about Donald Trump’s second term as the US President and the general situation in the country.
Although she said she was “fatigued” talking about this, Gauff hoped for more peace and kindness going forward. She also spoke about marginalized communities suffering in the US.
“I hope going forward that we can have a lot more peace in our country and more kindness in the way we speak to each other about different topics & things like that. Obviously, I’ve been pretty vocal about how I felt,” Gauff said (via Fox News).
“At this point, I feel a bit fatigued talking about it just because of the fact that it is hard being a black woman in this country and having to experience things, even online, and seeing marginalized communities being affected. Knowing that I can only donate and speak out, I try my best to do that. But I hope that as time continues, we can reach a state that we’re not currently in, and we keep moving forward,” she added.
Gauff is set to square off against her compatriot Hailey Baptiste in the third round of the Australian Open on Friday. World No. 70 Baptiste eliminated Taylor Townsend in the first round at Melbourne Park.
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